In Malaysia, the political landscape has changed considerably ever since the last election held in 2008 March. There is a sort of Perestroika happening there. Everyone want to have a say in the political process. Election affairs are becoming very interesting and colourful. Nowadays, it seems that every politician in Malaysia has his or her own blog to carryout the political message. People are politically freer than previously, but I don’t really like what I see happening there. Drastic political change whill bring chaos and more turbulence in days ahead.

One of the articles I read has a Chinese version. The first two paragraphs are as follow:

Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to attend 3 night functions and the topic for chit-chat at the dining table was on the 2nd stimulus package.

Generally, people are relieved that the government is aware of the need to take drastic action to prevent recession, which may arrive in the first half of this year. It is comforting to find out that the leadership is not in denial. It is a good sign that the government is taking steps in confronting the economic slowdown. However, the rakyat are generally concerned about the budget deficit and this may in a way destabilizes the Ringgit currency against foreign currency.

Wang Gungwu

If you don't have a sense of the past, your future will be diminished. Knowing where you come from, where your roots are, and all those great - and terrible - things that happened in the past, strengthens your identity